Coating apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for conditioning fibrous materials includes a rotatable drum in which the fibrous material may be tumbled, as in an automatic laundry dryer, and held, to the interior wall of the drum, so as to be in form-retaining relationship therewith, a base which has on an exterior surface thereof a conditioning agent for the fibrous materials. On contact with the tumbling fibrous materials, the conditioning agent is removed from the base and is deposited on the materials in sufficient quantity to condition them. Usually, the conditioning agent is a fabric softener and/or antistatic agent of the synthetic organic surface active type, the base is a thin flexible sheet or strip of material, such as paper or suitable plastic, the conditioning takes place in an automatic laundry dryer and the base is held to the dryer interior wall by an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive.

United States Patent Furgal 1 Jan. 18,1972

[54] COATING APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Henry P. Furgal, Bernardsville,NJ.

[73] Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York,

[22] Filed: Oct. 20, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 82,314

Primary Examiner-Morris Kaplan AttorneyHerbert S. Sylvester, Murray M.Grill, Norman Blumenkopf, Ronald 8. Cornell and Robert L. Stone [57]ABSTRACT An apparatus for conditioning fibrous materials includes arotatable drum in which the fibrous material may be tumbled, as in anautomatic laundry dryer, and held, to the interior wall of the drum, soas to be in form-retaining relationship therewith, a base which has onan exterior surface thereof a conditioning agent for the fibrousmaterials. On contact with the tumbling fibrous materials, theconditioning agent is removed from the base and is deposited on thematerials in sufficient quantity to condition them. Usually, theconditioning agent is a fabric softener and/or antistatic agent of thesynthetic organic surface active type, the base is a thin flexible sheetor strip of material, such as paper or suitable plastic, theconditioning takes place in an automatic laundry dryer and the base isheld to the dryer interior wall by an adhesive, such as a pressuresensitive adhesive.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEDmnamz 35343 39 33 224?? xiiINVENTOR. HENR P. FURGAL SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesto the conditioning of fibrous materials by contacting them with a basehaving a conditioning agent on a surface thereof. More particularly, thecontacting is effected in a rotatable drum, such as that of an automaticlaundry dryer, and the base is held to an interior wall of the drum sothat, even if it is normally flexible, it is maintained inform'retaining relationship with the drum. The invention includes aconditioning article which comprises the flexible base, conditioningagent on the base and means for holding the flexible base inform-retaining relationship with an interior wall of a tumbling drum,which means is preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past conditioning agents have beenused to improve the properties of fibrous materials. Among the moreimportant properties that have been changed by such agents are softness,electrostatic capacity and wrinkling characteristics. Although mosttreatments conducted in the household laundry to modify these propertieshave been effected in the washing machine, usually by addition of aconditioning agent to the last rinse, such methods possess certaininherent disadvantages which have led to attempts to treat laundry andfibrous materials to be conditioned in other operations which wouldnormally be utilized in the laundry process. By effecting suchtreatments in the dryer, the necessity for the conditioning agent to besubstantive to the fabrics and to adhere to them strongly in preferenceto the solvent of the dilute solutions of the rinse water would beobviated. Thus, soluble treating compositions would be employable ifthere was a way to distribute them over the surfaces of the fibrousmaterials being treated when such surfaces were not immersed in washwater or rinse water.

The use of sprays of fabric softeners or other applications of suchliquids to the laundry in the dryer usually requires complicated andrelatively expensive installations and even with these, staining,spotting or other detrimental effects due to local applications ofexcess conditioning agent may be observed. If a flexible paper, spongeor cloth sheet is impregnated with conditioning agent, such asquaternary ammonium salt, and the product is tumbled with laundry in thedryer, staining is sometimes noted, apparently due to temporaryentrapments of the flexible conditioning article in laundry beingtreated, which cause the application of more condition ing agent than isdesirable at particular locations on the treated materials. Such localover applications may also be caused by cracking and flaking off of theconditioning compositions when the flexible substrate is folded,creased, twisted, bent or otherwise distorted during tumbling withlaundry, due to the conditioning material being strained by suchactions. Of course, if the cationic conditioning agents used, such asthe quaternary ammonium salts, contact materials containing color bodiesor heavy metal ions, such as ferric or ferrous ions, very obvious andsubstantive stains may be produced which are extremely difficult toremove from the fabrics. They often require dry cleaning and this is notalways completely successful. Even if such actions do not take placeregularly, the possibility of only occasional adverse effects of thistype can sometimes prevent the satisfactory marketing and sales ofsuch aproduct.

In the past it has been suggested that an improved method of applyingconditioning agent to fibrous materials in the dryer would involve theuse of form-retaining bases for such material so that the base would notbend, fold, crease or flex sufficiently to cause enough strain to makethe coating of condi tioning composition flake off from it. Thus, solidssuch as polystyrene foam balls have been taught to be useful when coatedwith fabric conditioner. Such articles tumble with the laundry and,although they are not difficult to locate after use, they have to befound and separated from the laundry after completion of the treatmentcycle. Furthermore, they should be of a certain density to prevent themfrom riding atop the laundry load and not participating sufficiently inthe tumbling contact. Finally, although entrapment in the laundry andresulting staining of the materials being treated rarely occurs withsuch articles, it is possible in some cases, especially if the itemsbeing laundered are large in size and can become folded about theconditioning article.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Disadvantages accompanying other methods ofconditioning laundry in the drying operation are obviated in large partby the present invention. Thus, the apparatuses, for conditioningfibrous materials in accordance with this invention allow theconditioning of-laundry in the dryer, permit the use of water solublenonsubstantive conditioning agents, do not result in cracking andflaking off of conditioning composition coatings due to entrapment ofthe conditioning article in the laundry and allow it to be foundreadily, after completion of the conditioning treatment. The methodallows the use of flexible bases for the conditioning compositions andfacilitates their storage, application and removal. It allows economicalproduction and convenient packaging and use of the conditioningarticles.

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for conditioningfibrous materials comprises an automatic laundry dryer drum or similarcontainer for them, means for rotating the drum and tumbling fibrousmaterials contained therein, and held to an interior wall of the drum informretaining relationship therewith, a base, having on an exteriorsurface thereof a conditioning agent for the fibrous material. Theconditioning agent, preferably a fabric softener or antistatic agent, isremovable from the base on contact with the tumbling materials and isdeposited on the materials in sufficient quantity to condition them. Inpreferred forms of the invention, the base is a thin flexible sheet orstrip of material, such as paper or suitable plastic, the conditioningagent is waxy in nature and is mostly external to the base, and themeans for holding the base to the interior of the dryer or othercontainer is an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive,which makes the article readily applicable and removable from the drumwall. Also within the invention are the fabric conditioning articles, instrips or sheets, or rolled, and combinations of dispensers with sucharticles. Of course, uses of such apparatus and articles are also partof the invention.

Various details, constructions, operations, uses and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description, taken inconjunction with the illustrative drawing of some embodiments thereof,in which drawing:

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the interior of anautomatic laundry dryer drum;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of a fiber conditioning tape of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section of another such tape;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a roll of conditioning tape, wound arounda mandrel tube; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical section of a combination dispenser and cutter for aroll of conditioning tape, showing the tape in position therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the apparatus of FIG. 1,automatic laundry dryer drum 11 has an inner wall 13 on which baffles 15are fastened, molded or pressed out. Interior wall 13 is form-retainingand usually is of steel, as are the baffles 15, the function of which isto assist in tumbling laundry 17 being dried in the automatic laundrydryer. As the dryer drum 11 rotates in a clockwise direction, asindicated by arrow 19, the baffles tend to lift the laundry upward andto the left, after which it is dropped down shortly before reaching thetop of the dryer, usually at a point corresponding to about 330. Drum 11has operatively connected to it pulley 21 which is turned by belt 23,rotated by connection with driving motor 25. Shown fastened to theinterior wall 13 is a form-retaining article 27 having a base portion 29and a coating 31 of conditioning agent on an external surface thereof,from which it can be abraded off onto the surfaces of tumbling laundryarticles, such as those designated at 17, during contact made under theconditions in the dryer. Also, shown are creped paper tapes 33 and 35,which have fabric softening and antistatic agents on an external surfacethereof and are held to leading surfaces of baffles by pressuresensitive adhesive or other suitable means. Of course, in an automaticlaundry dryer, means are provided for the flow of warm air through thedryer and the venting of humid air from it. Such means are conventionaland are not specifically illustrated herein. Also, it will be noted thatthe tapes 33 and 35 will usually extend substantially across the entirelengths of the baffles and the dryer drum interior.

In FIG. 2 are shown details of construction of the conditioningagentcoated creped tape 33. The creped paper base 37 has a coating offabric softener 39 applied to the top surface thereof and on the bottom,a coating of pressure sensitive rubber-type adhesive 41. As isillustrated in FIG. 1, a length of such tape is installed coaxially withthe drum 1] on baffle 15 by pressing the pressure sensitive adhesiveagainst the surface of the baffle. For best contact with the laundry theinstallation is on the leading edge of the baffle, as shown but in othercases, installation can be on the trailing edge, when such a goodcontact is not required or desirable. In FIG. 3 is shown a similar tape43 having a base section 45, conditioning composition 47, adhesive 49and a thin waxy coating 51, to prevent adhesive 49 from adhering toconditioning agent 47. As illustrated, the coating is on theconditioning agent but it may be utilized as a separating thin sheet ofwaxy paper or similar material to permit easy release.

In FIG. 4, cylindrical cardboard or paperboard mandrel 53 has wrappedabout it a length of conditioning tape 43, making a roll 54 from whichthe tape is conveniently dispensed, ready for use. In FIG. 5, adispenser frame or support 57 holds shaft or mounting means 55 ontowhich mandrel 53 is operatively mounted. A roll 54 of tape 43, wound onsaid mandrel, is unwound therefrom and led over a cutting edge 59, whereit can be severed to desired lengths for application to the interior ofthe dryer drum.

The apparatus for conditioning fibrous materials is one which has anenclosure which is either movable itself or in which clothing or fabricfibers to be treated can be moved about, so as to be brought intorepeated contact with a conditioning agent. A preferred apparatusincludes a rotatable automatic laundry dryer drum so that theconditioning can be ef fected by the housewife during the ordinarydrying of laundry. Nevertheless, industrial installations andapparatuses different from but functionally equivalent to the dryer drummay also be employed. Normally, these will rotate, although other meansof agitation and movement are also applicable. Such containers willusually be form-retaining but may be made of somewhat flexible material,providing that form-retaining bases for the conditioning material areattached to them or, if flexible bases are used, that there are sectionsof the container or drum wall which are form-retaining, to which suchbases may be attached. It is preferable that the dryer drum be one whichrotates and means will be provided for efiecting such rotation, saidmeans usually being a dryer motor-belt-pulley combination. Also, whendrying with conditioning, means will be provided for circulating dryingair at an elevated temperature through the articles being treated in thedrum.

An important aspect of the present invention is in the fixing inposition with respect to a drum wall of the conditioning means beingemployed. Thus, if the conditioning means used is a coatedfonn-retaining article, such as a polystyrene foam slab, represented at27 in FIG. 1, rather than to allow it to be tumbled with the clothingone will fasten it to a portion of the drum wall or baffle thereon.Thus, there will be a predictable number of revolutions of theconditioning article into contact with tumbling clothing and entrapmentof it will be prevented. Furthermore, whatever the density of the base,the contact with the clothing will be independent thereof. Also, afterconclusion of the conditioning, the housewife will know exactly where tofind the conditioning article. By repeated use, she will be able todetermine the best location of the article for effecting the mostdesired conditioning treatments.

If the conditioning article is form-retaining, it may be any of varioussuitable materials of construction, including paperboard, cardboard,corrugated paperboard, other cellulosic products, wood, metal, mineral,vegetable, and synthetic organic polymeric plastics, either in foam,solid or hollow form or of reinforced or similar structures. Thus,polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, foamed polystyrene, either open orclosed cell, rigid polyurethane foam, glass reinforced polyester,balsawood, soft pine, coconut shells, foamed concrete, smooth pumice orother equivalent bases may be employed. These may be perforated orcontinuous at their surfaces and may be of various forms, such as tubes,e.g., cylinders or rounded tubular shapes, discs, parallelograms, suchas rectangles, parallelepipeds, such as cubes, ellipsoids, spheres andmany other shapes, and may also be symbolic or decorative, e.g.,pictures, figures, flowers, symbols.

As was previously mentioned, it is preferred to employ flexiblesubstrates for the conditioning composition and these will usually be insheets, films or strips of any of a wide variety of suitable materialsincluding papers, plastics, rubbers, metals, cloths, sponges, screens,fibers, felts and nonwoven fabrics. The various fibrous materials may benatural or synthetic and usually, preferably will be cellulosic.However, they may also be of resilient foamed plastics, such as thepolyurethanes. While the thickness of the form-retaining bases may bealmost any desired, usually being at least 0.] cm. thick and, rarelybeing of more than 10 cm. thick, that of the thin flexible material,such as sheeting, will usually be from 0.001 to 0.1 cm. but in somecases, as when flexible foams or sponges are employed, the thickness maybe increased to as much as about 1 cm. without detrimental effects. Themain consideration is that the material should be sufficiently flexibleto confonn to and fit tightly against the form-retaining inner wall ofthe dryer drum. Of course, the desired flexibility and thinness willalso assist in making the conditioning agent easily rolled into aconvenient package, which may be incorporated in a dispenser. Althoughit is most useful to have the thin flexible conditioning article in rollform, it may also be used as a flat strip or sheet without beingpackaged into a roll or a roll dispenser.

Among the fabric softeners and antistatic agents that are usable inaccord with the present invention are the nonionic surface activematerials, including higher fatty acid monolower alkanolamides, higherfatty acid dilower alkanolamides, block copolymers of ethylene oxide andpropylene oxide, having hydrophilic and lipophilic groups, alkyl(preferably middle alkyl) phenol polylower alkylene oxide loweralkanols, polymers of lower alkylene glycols, polyalkylene glycol ethersof higher fatty alcohols and polyalkylene glycol esters of higher fattyacids. Among the anionic agents are the higher fatty acid soaps of watersoluble bases, higher fatty alcohol sulfates, higher fatty acidmonoglyceride sulfates, sarcosides, taurides, isethionates and linearhigher alkyl aryl sulfonates. Cationic compounds include the higheralkyl dilower alkyl amines, dihigher alkyl lower alkyl amines andquaternary compounds, especially quaternary ammonium salts, e.g.,quaternary ammonium halides. In the preceding description, lower, asapplied to various hydrocarbyl-containing groups, indicates a carboncontent of from i to 6, preferably from 2 to 3. Similarly, higherincludes compounds having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 12to 18. Of course, since it is important to the present invention thatthe conditioning composition be in a solid form, so that it can haveconditioning agent gradually removed from it by contact with tumblinglaundry fabrics in a dryer or similar machine, the fabric softeningand/or antistatic agents will be chosen to be in the solid state.Mixtures of nonionic conditioning agents with either cationics oranionics of the types mentioned above may also be used and generally,the proportions of components of such mixtures will be chosen so as tohave the final product in most desired waxy condition and satisfactorilyremovable by a combination of moisture, heat and abrading contact withlaundry that exists in an automatic dryer.

Specific examples of surface active materials of the types describedabove are given in the text Synthetic Detergents by Schwartz, Perry andBerch, published in I958 by Interscience Publishers, New York. See pagesto I43. Among the more preferred of these are:

Nonionic-nonylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol; stearic monoethanolamide;stearic diethanolamide; block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propyleneoxide (Pluronics);

Anionic-sodium soap of mixed coconut oil and tallow fatty acids; sodiumstearate; potassium stearate; sodium laurate; tallow alcohols sulfate;

Cationic-dilauryl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride; hydrogenatedtallow alkyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and benzethonium chloride.

The above list is only illustrative of some of the compounds useful inaccordance with the present invention. Conditioning agents of thesetypes are well known in the art and others than those mentioned abovemay also be used satisfactorily.

In addition to the fabric softening and/or antistatic and antiwrinklingagents which are the principal conditioning compounds, other componentsmay also be present in these conditioning compositions for theiradjuvant effects. Thus, other conditioning agents may be used, includingthose designed to treat the fabrics in other ways than in softening. Forexample, perfumes, brighteners, bactericides, solvents, thickening orhardening agents, stabilizers and other materials may be incorporated inthe conditioning compositions. In some cases, small quantities of watermay be present, especially when the components form hydrates.Plasticizers and release agents may be employed to assist in having theconditioning compounds satisfactorily coat the substrate and tofacilitate release of the conditioning agent from the treated articlesupon subsequent laundering. Solvents and dispersants may be used toassist in applying the conditioning compositions to the base,principally in those cases where a flexible material, such as paper, isbeing coated with the conditioning composition. The types andproportions of the various adjuvants used will be chosen so to make theminterfere with the operations of the conditioning compounds.

The final conditioning composition is preferably waxy in appearance andis capable of being stored at room temperature without melting, whileyet being satisfactorily picked up by fabrics in the operation of anautomatic laundry dryer, when the fabrics tumbled into contact with theconditioning composition. The conditioning composition will beform-retaining at temperatures below C. and preferably, also at alltemperatures below 40 C. It may tend to fuse or melt under the highertemperatures obtaining in the dryer, such as 70 to 90 C. but usuallywill be only sufficiently softened, even in the presence of theplasticizers, to be abraded off a treating article onto the surface ofmaterial to be conditioned, at dryer conditions, including the presenceof moisture and drying gas at an elevated temperature. The conditioningcomposition should be removable from a substrate rather smoothly and insufficient quantity to condition fabrics, at a temperature from 40 to 900, preferably from 50 to 80 C. Normally, to effect these purposes, thefabric softener and/or antistatic agent, the surface active conditioningagent mentioned previously, will be a major proportion of theconditioning composition, usually from 51 to I00 percent thereof.Preferably it will comprise from 75 to I00 percent of the composition.The various adjuvants will normally constitute any remainder of thecomposition.

When the conditioning composition is employed as a coating on thesubstrate, the thickness of the coating applied will normally be withinthe range of 0.0005 to 0.5 centimeter, generally from 0.001 to 0.3 cm.and preferably from 0.005 or 0.05 to 0.2 cm. The thickness given is thatexternal to the outer surface of the thin flexible material coated. Asomewhat porous or rough surfaced substrate or one having indentationswill normally be preferred so that the coating composition may penetratebelow the outer surface to a sufficient depth to hold the externalcoating firmly to the surface and prevent its cracking or flaking offfrom the surface during use. As a example of such a substrate may bementioned paper toweling, having a creped, crinkled or roughenedappearance, as contrasted to a smooth sheet of paper. Also, flexiblepolyurethane foam can be used. A minor proportion of the externalthickness of coating agent may be below the surface. This will usuallybe held to 10 to 30 percent of that external to the base. In terms ofweights applied, the conditioning compositions will normally be employedin the range of 0.0005 to 0.5 g./sq. cm., preferably from 0.001 to 0.3g./sq. cm. and most preferably from 0.005 to 0.2 g./sq. cm.

The preparation of the conditioning composition is easy, usuallyrequiring only the melting together of various components. They may beapplied to one side of the flexible or form-retaining base by anysuitable method, preferably by roll, doctor blade or spray applicationand similarly, if an adhesive is to be employed, it may be applied to asuitable portion of the base, usually the opposite major face, in asimilar manner. Such methods are detailed in an application for patententitled PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FABRIC CON- DITIONING ARTICLE,filed by P. J. Falivene, on the same day as this application and anotherapplication entitled FIBER CONDITIONING ARTICLE, filed by P. S. Grand,et al., also on the same day as this application.

After coating of the base with conditioning material, this may beovercoated with a layer, usually less than 0.0] cm. thick, of wax, suchas petroleum wax; which will be readily removed therefrom in the dryerand which will aid in preventing adhesion of the conditioningcomposition to other materials during storage, such as fastening topressure sensitive adhesive with which it is brought into contact. Ofcourse, instead of the waxy coating, waxed paper, treated release paper,creped papers, or a plastic, such as polyethylene film or other suitablematerial may be used as an overlay to prevent such adhesion.

The means for holding the coated base to the interior of the dryer orwall of the container in which fibrous materials are treated may be anysuitable fastener. When using rigid or form-retaining bases, holding maybe by spring loaded clamp, screws, press fitting, adhesion, partialfusion, taping, typing, or insertion into a prepared cavity or otherenclosure. The place of fastening may be on any suitable portion of thedryer drum interior, including the baffles and other locations on thelongitudinal surface thereof.

For the use of flexible bases or substances, it is generally importantthat they be fastened to a form-retaining element, usually the interiorof the dryer wall or a baffle thereon. This is so because in the mostdesirable uses of the present articles they will be maintained inposition so that they cannot flex unduly and thereby, flaking off ofcoating composition will be inhibited. In some embodiments of theinvention, wherein the conditioning agents brittleness" represents noproblem, some of the advantages of the invention can be obtained byfastening such a flexible conditioning article to the dryer interiorwall so that it is held in place thereon at a point or area but is stillcapable of flexing. However, it is highly preferred to maintain theconditioning article in a form-retaining state during the treatment offibrous materials.

The various means mentioned above with respect to holding other bases tothe dryer wall may also be used to hold flexible conditioning articles.The most preferred means for effecting such holding is an adhesive andof this type, the best is a pressure sensitive adhesive. Such adhesivematerials are well known, usually being based on rubber or syntheticorganic polymeric plastic latexes and containing ingredients which keepthem tacky, so that they may be readily applied, with pressure, to asurface and are subsequently removable therefrom. It has been found thatvarious of such pressure sensitive adhesives. such as are employed inadhering masking tapes and bandages or adhesive tapes are useful, evenat the elongated temperatures that are encountered in the automaticlaundry dryer. In the event that any section of such adhesives isdesirable, those will be employed which maintain their adhesive activityand tackiness or plasticity at the elevated temperature of dryeroperations. Also, those adhesives that are readily removed and leave nodeposits behind after removal will be highly preferred, since it isdesired to maintain the smooth and clean surface of the dryer interiorto avoid staining clothing Again, many of the commercially availablepressure sensitive adhesives are satisfactory in this respect.Applications of such adhesive to the paper or other flexible strips ortapes may be with machinery and usually is effected after conventionalcoating of another face of the base with conditioning composition. Theadhesive will usually be on an entire surface for best holding power butcan be spot or strip printed onto the base.

Although the form-retaining materials normally are fastened to thesurfaces of the dryer drum intermediate the baffles it is oftenpreferred to mount the flexible tape conditioning articles on thebaffles or other raised portions of the interior of the dryer drum.Generally, this will be on a leading edge so as to promote best contactwith the materials being conditioned. However, other locations are alsouseful. When a relatively long and narrow conditioning article, such asa tape, is employed, it will generally be applied longitudinally orcoaxially with the drum. Yet, in some applications it may be appliedcircumferentially or partially circumferentially.

After preparation of the conditioning article, it is wrapped orotherwise packaged for shipment, storage and subsequent use. WHenpressure sensitive adhesives are employed, care will be taken to coverthe adhesive so that its tackiness is maintained. When strips, sheets ortapes are used, a good way to protect the adhesive is to pack theconditioning articles in such a way that the adhesive contacts either awaxy surface of conditioning composition, wax coating thereon or waxedpaper or other intermediate protecting film, which thereby acts toprotect both the coated composition and the adhesive. A convenient wayto do this is to roll a strip of such pressure sensitive adhesivecontaining conditioning article about a mandrel or tube, to form acylinder, such as is illustrated in FIG. 4. If desired, such cylindermay be mounted on a dispenser or other base and the conditioning tapemay be dispensed in the same manner as is employed for dispensing othertapes, such as transparent sealing tapes and masking tapes.

The present articles are simple to employ and the treating methods areeffective for conditioning fabrics without special care being necessaryon the part of the user. The conditioning particle is positioned in theautomatic dryer or tumbling device immediately before a drying ortreating operation commences. The location selected may be on the drumor a baffle, as previously mentioned or in such a location on the drumas experience has indicated will provide the best softening orantistatic treatment with the conditioning agent being employed. Then,the dryer is started with a load of damp laundry or other materials tobe treated and the laundry and conditioning article are in relativemovement, with a combination of heat, moisture and abrading action dueto contact causing the release of conditioning agent from article anddeposit on the fabrics. Although it is preferred to use an automaticlaundry dryer, equivalent machines may be employed and in someinstances, heat and drying air may be omitted for part or all of thecycle, although generally, air will be employed and will be circulatedfrequently. Normally there will be about to 50 changes ofdrying gas inthe dryer drum per minute and the gas temperature will be from l0 to 90C., preferably from 50 to 80 C. The dryer will usually revolve at aboutto I00 revolutions per minute, preferably 40 to 80 rpm. The weight oflaundry employed will usually be from 4 to l2 pounds,

preferably from 5 to 10 pounds, dry weight. This will fill II) topercent of the volume of the dryer, preferably about 30 to 60 percentthereof. Drying will usually take from 5 minutes to 2 hours andgenerally from 20 minutes to 1 hour will be sufficient, with syntheticfabrics, such as nylon, polyesters and synthetic-natural blendsrequiring shorter periods of time than cotton laundry. The syntheticsmay often be dried satisfactorily in from 3 to 10 minutes andresin-treated fabrics of the permanently pressed or nonwrinkling typesmay be dried in from 10 minutes to one-half hour.

After completion of the conditioning operation and the drying of thelaundry, the conditioning article is examined. lf sufflcient softenerremains, the article may be left in place and employed again untilcomplete removal of the coating of conditioning agent. If the laundry isnot satisfactorily conditioned, additional tumbling thereof may be inorder. To obtain different levels of conditioning activities ordifferent effects, there may be employed several treating articles or aplurality of different treating articles, located at various placesinside the drum. Of course, after the coating is consumed, aformretaining base may be covered with a new application of conditioningagent and a flexible base, such as a tape may be removed and discarded.

Other details about the use of the present and related compositions,articles and methods may be found in an application for patent entitledFABRIC CONDITIONING METHODS, ARTICLES AND COMPOSITIONS, filed by G. T.Hewitt, et al., on the same day as the present application, as well asin the other patent applications, previously mentioned.

The advantages of the present invention have been indicated but will berecited briefly here. In summary, it is considered to be important thatthe conditioning article is readily locatable in the dryer at aparticular place and that the degree of contact between it and thetumbling laundry is regulated to a significant extent by having thearticle fastened to the dryer interior. Thus, the article is easy toposition and is readily found and removed upon the completion of theconditioning. The degree of conditioning is controllable by varying theposition and number or size of the articles on the drum. By utilizingform-retaining articles or by making them form-retaining by fastening tosuch a wall or base, problems of flaking off or cracking of theconditioning agent are minimized. The various conditioning articles arereadily made by commercially economic processes and, especially withrespect to the tapes, are capable of being continuously mass producedand readily stored, shipped and dispensed. Although intended primarilyfor softening, decreasing electrostatic activity and decreasingwrinkling of natural and synthetic fabrics, the present articles mayalso be used for effecting other treatments of fibers and fabrics, byhaving applied active conditioning agents such as bactericides,fungicides, silicones, sizes, etc., in other suitable bases, such aswaxes, hydrophilic solids, fats, carriers or other such depositablemedia.

The following examples illustrate various embodiments of the invention.Unless otherwise indicated, all parts are by weight, temperatures are indegrees Centigrade and the measurements are in the metric system. Theexamples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention because itis evident that various modifications may be made and equivalents may besubstituted without departing from the spirit thereof.

EXAMPLE I A melt is prepared by heating 70 parts of stearicmonoethanolamide and 30 parts of stearic diethanolamine to a temperatureof about C., while mixing to maintain uniformity of the composition. Themelt is then applied to a sheet of toweling paper, which is creped, andhas a thickness of approximately 0.1 cm. Application is by means of aroller, dipping into a bath of melt and depositing a uniform layer ofcoating composition onto one side of the toweling. The toweling isapproximately I meter wide and the deposit of conditioning agent is to adepth of about 0.05 cm. above the surface and penetration is to a depthof about 0.015 cm. below the surface. The penetration is kept low by therapid cooling of the melt immediately after coating, which cooling iseffected by an air flow directed onto the coated paper after withdrawalfrom contact with the coating roller. Subsequently, a similar coating ofcommercial rubber latex adhesive of the pressure sensitive type isapplied to the opposite side of the paper, to a depth of about 0.02 cm.,with penetration being about 0.005 cm. The adhesive may be applied as anemulsion or from a solvent, in either of which cases solvent ordispersing medium is evaporated therefrom immediately after application.In those cases where the adhesive requires heating to effect a cure orwhen heat is utilized to evaporate solvent, to prevent melting off ofthe conditioning agent, the adhesive may be applied first. The width ofpaper is cut with a knife and the cut, treated adhesive paper is woundon individual spools, each approximately cm. wide, with the lengths ofconditioning tape on the spools being about l0 meters. The spools arepaperboard tubes of approximately 8 cm. outside diameter and are about0.4 cm. thick. If used in 20 cm. lengths, each spool contains enoughconditioning tape for 50 applications.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the spool of conditioningtape, containing conditioning composition on one surface and pressuresensitive adhesive on the other, is mounted on a dispenser-holder of thetype illustrated in FIG. 5. This is approximately boxed and is ready forshipment, sale and use.

In use, a 20 cm. length of the paper tape is removed from the roll andis cut by a knife or a serrate edge of the dispenser. It is then appliedto the leading edge of an internal baffle of the automatic dryer drum ina direction coaxial with the drum. The drum is then rotated so that thepaper is at the top thereof and laundry to be conditioned is added,after which normal drying cycle is commenced. The laundry treated is amixture of wearing apparel and household articles, totaling eightpounds, including cotton, synthetic fibers, especially polyesters,polyacetates and blends of these plastics other or with cotton, nylons,rayons and resin-treated, permanently pressed and wrinkle resistantfabrics. The wash comprises approximately 50 percent of cotton articles,20 percent polyester-cotton blends, 10 percent permanently presseditems, 10 percent nylon articles and the balance of rayon, acetate, etc.The laundry to be conditioned occupies 40 percent of the dryer volumeand the drying air is blown through the dryer at the rate of about 200cubic feet per minute, at an initial temperature of about 70 C. The drumrotates at about a speed of 60 rpm. Initially the temperature of thedamp laundry is low, approximately 20 C., but as drying continues, itincreases to almost 70 C. The conditioning agent on the surface of thearticle is abraded off onto the surfaces of the fabrics being treated,so that when, after 50 minutes of drying, the machine is turned off andthe laundry is removed, it is static-free and soft to touch, compared toa similar load in which the conditioning article is not used. Theclothing treated exhibits no spots or stains and periodic examination ofthe conditioning article during the operation of the dryer shows thatthe coating is held satisfactorily to the base. There is no flaking orcracking of the conditioning composition evident.

On examination of the treating tape after use it is found thatapproximately 3 grams of conditioning composition have been abraded fromthe surface onto the fabrics to be treated. Therefore, the coated papercontains at least an additional 2 grams of available conditioningmaterial and can be used again. When it is reused with another load oflaundry and all the coating is abraded from the surface, only about l.5grams of the original 6.5 grams of conditioning composition remains onthe conditioning paper. At that time the tape is removed and replacedwith a fresh strip and the conditioning operation is repeated withanother laundry load.

In other runs, using the same type of coated paper, nylon articles areremoved after 5 minutes and permanently pressed articles are withdrawnafter minutes and are found to be with each I satisfactorilyconditioned, being soft, static-free and wrinkle free.

When, instead of employing the formula described above there is used amelt of lauric monoethanolamide and stearic diethanolamide, also in30:70 portions, comparable results are obtained. Similarly, when asolution comprising 30 percent ethanol, 55 percent distearyl dimethylammonium chloride and I5 percent water is employed to coat the same typeof tape at approximately the same weight of conditioning composition perunit area and the tape is employed as described above, good softening ofcotton and antistatic action on synthetic organic polymeric textiles areobtained. When synthetic organic anionic surface active agents, such assodium lauryl sulfate and soap, are also used, applied in the samequantities, either as melts or solutions, to toweling of the typedescribed above and with the same type of adhesive, they are also foundto be satisfactory in conditioning of the tested laundry. It isgenerally observed that additions of plasticizing agents, such as thosedescribed in a patent application filed by P. J. Falivene on the sameday as this application and entitled FABRIC CONDITIONING WITH IMPROVEDCOMPOSI- TION CONTAINING A PLASTICIZER, are useful in improving evenfurther the nonflaking characteristics of the conditioning agents, so asto prevent any spotting or staining of the treated materials. 7

When the above experiments are repeated, using other means for holding astrip of coated paper of the same type and size to the interior of thedryer drum, at a location between baffles, with the strip extendinglongitudinally, similar results are obtained. Such means for holding thestrip include transparent sealing tapes, rubber cements, glues, roundhead screws with washers, and clamps. Generally, metal parts are avoidedwhen employing the cationic conditioning agents, because they sometimescause stainings by chemical reactions with metal ions, such as ironions.

EXAMPLE 2 The experiments reported in example 1 are repeated, usingform-retaining bases of various shapes and sizes held to the dryer wallin substantially longitudinal disposition at midpoints between thebaffles or ridges. The shapes which are used include cubes, slabs,cylinders, cylindrical tubes and boxes. All have an external surface ofabout 50-300 sq. cm. and most extend from 10 to 30 cm. across the dryerdrum. They are constructed of polystyrene foams, paperboard or wood.

The conditioning effects obtained are noticeable with all suchform-retaining bases. The clothes treated are softer, of lowerelectrostatic action and have fewer wrinkles than do control items. Ofcourse, better conditioning is obtained from those articles havinggreater surfaces from which more conditioning agent is applied to thelaundry. It is noted that there is a lesser tendency for cracking orflaking of conditioning composition from the surface of the base whenthe shape thereof is such that sharp corners are avoided. Afterconclusion of the conditioning operation articles are easily located andremovable from the dryer.

What is claimed is:

I. An apparatus for conditioning fibrous materials which comprises anautomatic laundry dryer drum or similar container for fibrous materials,means for rotating the drum and tumbling fibrous materials containedtherein and, held to an interior wall of the drum, in form-retainingrelationship therewith, a base, having an exterior surface thereof aconditioning agent for the fibrous materials, which, on contact withsuch tumbling materials is removable from the base and depositable onthe materials in sufficient quantity to condition them said basecomprising a flexible material and having a pressure sensitive adhesiveon the opposite surface thereof to effect said form-retainingrelationship.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for passing heatedair through the fibrous materials in the drum and in which the drum isof form-retaining material.

being a surface active synthetic organic fabric softener which, underthe conditions of automatic laundry drying, elevated temperature, highhumidity and repeated contact with tumbling moist laundry, is graduallydeposited on the tumbling laundry brought into contact with it, and thepressure sensitive adhesive holds sufficiently to the interior wall ofthe dryer drum under the conditions of drying of laundry to maintain thestrip or sheet of base material in form-retaining contact with saidinterior wall.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for passing heatedair through the fibrous materials in the drum and in which the drum isof form-retaining material.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 whereinthe flexible base has an exterior surface thereof coated with a fabricsoftener and/or antistatic agent.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1wherein the interior of the drum contains form-retaining baffle meansand said baffle means have attached thereto by a pressure sensitiveadhesive a flexible base having a external coating of fabric softenerand/or antistatic agent.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 3 whereineach fabric softner- flexible base- pressure sensitive adhesivecombination is in thin strip or sheet form, with the conditioning agentbeing a surface active synthetic organic fabric softener which, underthe conditions of automatic laundry drying, elevated temperature, highhumidity and repeated contact with tumbling moist laundry, is graduallydeposited on the tumbling laundry brought into contact with it, and thepressure sensitive adhesive holds sufficiently to the interior wall ofthe dryer drum under the conditions of drying of laundry to maintain thestrip or sheet of base material in form-retaining contact with saidinterior wall.